An easy-to-use, adaptable welcome speech template to help you prepare any type of welcome speech plus a sample to use as a model
I teach a public speaking course that is the sole required communications course for many of my technically-oriented students (including chemistry, IT,
Free funeral poems; a timeless cross-cultural collection of the best loved bereavement verses for your use.
Ouch.
I think it does. Sloppy speech hinders communication. Clear speech helps it. If you've prepared a speech, surely you want your audience able to understand it?
You know you've been issued a warning if you've had feedback comments imlying that you:
Speech rate is measured in the number of words spoken per minute,(wpm). Find out what is a slow or fast rate of speech and how to improve communication by varying your speaking speed.
Get quick and easy effective tips for speaking rate.
Good voice health is essential to many professions: teachers, call-center workers, coaches...Get the facts here
A sample tribute speech and sample tribute speech outline to help you easily write your own
Read a sample eulogy to help you with ideas & suggestions for the funeral speech you need to write. There are two here; different in style, unique, as were the people they celebrate.
Inspirational quotations from many cultures and times especially selected for use in eulogies, funeral speeches and to comfort.
How to write a speech - easy to follow step by step guidelines, plus a summary speech writing checklist.
- Know what you want to teach, why and what outcome you want.
When you are clear about what it is you are doing, why and what you expect the end result to be you will communicate that
more clearly to your audience. The consequence is they will be more attentive.
- Know your audience
Good teaching starts with knowing who the audience is - their level current knowledge, their capacity to learn new skills, the vocabulary or language best used enabling them to understand...
- Be prepared to adapt
Consider your audience alongside what you want to teach. Do you need to break the new skill set or information into chunks and schedule several sessions rather than going for one large one? Is it suitable for big groups or would it be better in smaller ones or even one on one teaching?
Do you need to de-mystify the vocabulary replacing jargon with plain English? Is this a show and tell session or a show and do? (Show and tell is passive. The audience watches as you go through the steps. Show and do is active. The audience goes through the steps themselves after you've shown them how.)
- Prepare
Go through step by step what it is you want to teach BEFORE you try to teach it. Break the information or skill set down into a logical sequential process and as you go through it explain each part of the sequence clearly as if you were really teaching.
Consider what you need to illustrate your talk. Do you need diagrams? How big do they need to be for all the audience to see them? Do you need actual items for the audience to handle?
As you go through your preparation from the audience's point of view you'll find out what you need and where you need it.
- Rehearse
Once you've got the basic outline of your speech and the props(maps, graph, diagrams, bits of equipment...) together try it out and ask for feedback on clarity, timing (too long, too short), use of props.
What was good? What could be improved and how?
Use the feedback to modify your presentation. Rehearsal is invaluable as it identifies problem areas before you go live with the real thing.
Find out more about giving great demonstration speeches to take the stress out of teaching new skills in the workplace. Not only will it boost your confidence and self-esteem but you'll gain in respect from your colleagues as well.
The Freedom and Safety of Cue Cards
To cue or not to cue? That is the question.
Do you write out your full speech and read it or do you use speech outline prompts on cue cards and deliver it largely from memory?
I've done both and the experience it delivers is different.
The occasions I've used a full script have been when I've rushed through preparing my speech and haven't allowed enough time to thoroughly practice to the point of being comfortable without the word for word text.
Although it's never been disasterous, (as in losing my place in my notes OR shutting out the audience entirely because I'm head down reading intently), I always knew I could have done a whole lot better.
The result is I'm for cue cards. And I'm for cue cards ahead of completely memorizing my speech too. The reason for that is if I've learnt something by rote (word for word) and have a memory blip, it's difficult without a prompt to begin again.
When I've prepared a speech well a set of good cue cards allows me to:
- interact more freely with the audience because I'm not too busy concentrating on keeping my place in a script. I can make eye contact, smile...
- be more spontaneous sounding even though I've rehearsed. The cue card outline keeps me on track but it doesn't tell me the exact phrasing to use. It can vary each time I say my speech.
If you haven't tried using cue cards, do! You'll find full instructions on how to make them by clicking the link. I promise that once you've experienced
the freedom of not being slavishly tied to a script, you'll realize you've lifted your public speaking up a notch.
Quick Easy Effective Tips for Vocal Variety
Get quick easy effective tips for vocal variety and stop boring your listeners
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Eulogy for my Brother
Eulogy for my Brother - Jose Juan Ornelas Ben wrote about why he decided to share his eulogy for his brother in an email to me. They are posted here
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Voice Image Secrets
Voice image can make or break a career yet very few people consciously control what their voice says about who they are. It's not the actual words but how they're spoken that makes the difference.
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Proper Pronunciation
What will proper pronunciation do for you? Get the benefits & a list of commonly mispronounced words & phrases.
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In Loving Memories
Jerry Winston 1957-2010 Mr. Jerry Winston, 52, of Laurel Maryland, died Wednesday, January 13, 2010, after losing his battle with cancer. Born in
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How to write a tribute/retirement speech
The 'how to write a tribute/retirement speech' question below came via my contact form. I'm entering it here to show you the types of questions I get
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Overcome Fear or Anxiety of Public Speaking
Overcome fear or anxiety of public speaking. Tips on how to write and give successful speeches: eulogies, wedding and birthday speeches, presentations…Source quotations and poems.
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Storytelling in Speeches
Successful storytelling in speeches keeps your audience actively listening and involved.Make them laugh, sigh, gasp with wonder... Learn how to include real and relevant stories in your speeches.
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Diction Exercises - How to Speak Clearly
Diction Exercises. Make sure they get your message. Learn how to speak clearly.
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Choosing controversial speech topics
Controversial speech topics: Understand what makes a good controversial speech & then select your topic from the references provided.
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Birthday Speeches for Milestone Celebrations
Birthday speeches: An example of a speech written for a man's 50th birthday. Use it as a starting point for the speech you have to write.
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Acute Anxiety Help
Proven acute anxiety help tips to successfully overcome fear of public speaking.
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Action Verbs for Dynamic Speech Writing
Action verbs give your speech color and passion telling your story precisely and powerfully. They can set a scene or change a mood quickly and concisely. Get the sizzle of succinct action verbs now.
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Acceptance Speeches Without Tears
Acceptance speeches:- how to write and deliver a good one. Unlike some of the most publicised, they do not have to be a long list of 'thank-you's' punctuated by tears and silence.
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The Tribute Speech Guide
The Tribute Speech: what they are, how to plan one easily and links to examples.
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Improv Games: Icebreakers for Speech and Drama Classes
Improv games -5 superb drama games to sharpen focus and concentration, encourage mental flexibility while developing awareness of body language and communication.
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Great funny speeches: understand how to get the laughter you want
Great funny speeches: how to write a funny speech, get the keys to using humor effectively
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Fun Speech Topics for Kids of All Ages
Fun speech topics: a light hearted list of 60 giggle, chortle and smile ideas for humorous speeches.
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Free Word Games
Free word games -improv speech and drama games for fun; spontaneity and confidence building. Suitable for 13+ yrs..
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Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety Breathing Exercises
Banish fear with overcoming public speaking anxiety breathing exercises
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Declamation Speech: What they are, how to choose and deliver one
A declamation speech is the term for the re-giving of a famous speech. The speaker 'lives into' the original, reproducing its power. Find out more about choosing and delivering one here.
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Birthday Quotations for All Ages
Witty & wise birthday quotations ordered by age group to help you find the perfect birthday quote for your birthday speech
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Wedding Poems & Readings
A collection of wedding poems & readings drawn from many cultures for your special day.
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Preparing a thank-you speech
Give the thank-you speech you'd love to receive by adapting a ready-made template and inserting your choice of thank you quote
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Thank-you Quotes
Thank-you Quotes to help you say 'thank-you' creatively
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Sample Speech Outline
A sample speech outline or template to help you prepare a successful speech. Easily followed step by step guidelines.
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Retirement Speech Sample
Searching for a retirement speech sample? There's one here. Use it to kick-start the process of writing your own. Step-by-step guidelines and a large selection of retirment themed quotations.
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Impromptu Public Speaking Topics
50 impromptu public speaking topics to sharpen impromptu public speaking skills
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How to write a speech for kids
How to write a speech for kids: simple step by step guidelines for a successful speech
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Essential Tips for Overcoming Performance Anxiety
Simple effective solutions to manage public speaking fear.
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Demonstration Speech Topics
100 + demonstration speech topics to kick-start your creativity. Choose your topic and then use the links to prepare & deliver a successful demonstration speech.
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Sales Speaker: how to prepare for success
Sales speaker: How to prepare effectively for successful sales speaking. An interview with Brian Clough on sales presentation.
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Public speaking tips - Interview with Steve Barancik
Public speaking tips from Steve Barancik, Hollywood scriptwriter, children's writer, web master and comedic storyteller - Learn how he overcame fear of public speaking and more
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How to End a Speech Memorably
How to end a speech effectively - 3 examples of good speech endings to help you prepare a powerful closing statement for your speech.
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Christmas Speech Sample
Christmas speech sample: Easily adaptable - use it as a model to write your own
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Student Council Speeches - How to write your speech
Student Council Speeches - a student council speech template to help create your winning 'vote for me' speech with planning and delivery guidelines.
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